Atlantic City councilwoman gains three votes after recount

Atlantic City Councilwoman Latoya Dunston increased her lead from three votes to six after a recount of votes in the second ward Democratic primary conducted earlier this evening, but the election results could still face a court fight.

Challenger Viana Bailey had sought a new count, along with allegations that former  Atlantic City Council President Craig Calloway, a controversial local powerbroker supporting Dunston, assisted nineteen disabled voters.

The tally went from 300 to 297 after the June primary to 303 to 297 after tonight’s count.

There are no Republican or independent candidates, so absent a write-in campaign, the Democratic nomination is tantamount to victory.

“The residents of Atlantic City deserve to know with confidence who their elected representative is,” Bailey said.

Superior Court Judge Michael Blee said earlier this month that he believed the twelve-day clock for a legal challenge begins with the certification of the new election results, something that is expected to occur on Monday.

“A recount doesn’t care about fraud perpetuated by Craig Calloway, and while my client is disappointed with the results of a recount, my client and decide shortly about filing an election contest challenge,” said Daniel Antonelli, Bailey’s attorney.

The window for the courts to adjudicate challengers is incredibly narrow.  The statutory deadline to begin printing general election ballots is September 4, and county clerks must commence the mailing of vote-by-mail ballots on September 23.

Dunston is allied with a faction of the city council that sometimes opposes Mayor Marty Small, Sr.